WHAT IS REFLEXOLOGY?

Masako is our in-house reflexologist.

Reflexology stimulates the feet with pressure and relaxation techniques that affect the body as a whole. All organs & systems of the body are connected by a network of nerves, over 7000 of which terminate in the feet. The feet contain reflex points corresponding to every part of the body and these reflex points can become sensitive to the touch when you become ill or stressed as toxins build up. These toxins can cause blockages in the body, preventing the free flow of energy and affecting the efficiency of the body’s systems. By applying pressure to these points it is possible to bring about a reaction in corresponding areas of the body, helping to restore balance and harmony.

Reflexology is beneficial to most people including children & the elderly.

Benefits:

• Aids relaxation
• Sufferers of stress related disorders
• Increases energy levels & revitalises the body
• Boosts the immune system
• Helps relieve digestive disorders e.g. IBS, colitis, constipation
• Can help relieve pain
• Improves circulation
• Migraines/headaches
• Hormonal imbalances/PMS/Menopause/fertility
• Circulatory disorders
• Back problems/sciatica
• Allergies
• Arthritis
• Insomnia
• Respiratory disorders

Reflexology – Some History and What It Is

The roots of reflexology are embedded way back in ancient history when pressure therapies were recognised as preventative and therapeutic medicine. A widely held theory is that Reflexology originated in China about 5,000 years ago and many reputable Reflexologists’ have stated their belief in this theory, even though concrete proof is evasive. Egyptian and Babylonian cultures developed before Chinese culture, however, and Egypt contributed a valuable piece of historical evidence in the form of a pictograph, dated around 2500 – 2330 BC., which was found in the tomb of Ankmahor, at Saqquara, and is the oldest documentation depicting the practice of Reflexology.

Reflexology is a form of ‘alternative’ or ‘complimentary’ therapy which involves a method of treatment using the massage to reflex areas in the feet and hands. Most commonly the feet are used during treatment. In the feet there are reflex areas corresponding to all the parts of the body and these areas are arranged in such a way as to form a map of the body in the feet, with the right side corresponding to the right of the body and the left side corresponding to the left side of the body. By having the whole body represented in the feet the method offers a means of treating the whole body, and of treating the body as a whole. This latter point is an important factor of natural therapy and allows not only symptoms to be treated but also the causes of symptoms.

Numerous different disorders have been and are successfully treated by Reflexology including migraine, sinus problems, hormonal imbalances, breathing disorders, digestive and circulatory problems, back and muscular problems, it is also extremely effective when treating tension and stress. Most recently it has proved to be very beneficial for people suffering from ME. Most people who have experienced this non-invasive treatment would agree that it is most beneficial and is also a very relaxing therapy.